James W. Holley III

2004 Honoree

Dr. James W. Holley III is the head of two well-known families: the Holley family and the Portsmouth, Virginia, family.

He is as celebrated among the citizens as the numerous advancements that the city has enjoyed under his leadership.

He was elected to the Portsmouth City Council in 1968.

He was elected as the first African-American mayor in 1984 and served three years, was elected mayor in 1996 for a second term and began his third term as mayor in 2000.

African-American citizens in Portsmouth are able to meaningfully participate in many of the city's community activities and public life as a result of Holley's unrelenting efforts.

Decades ago, when the Portsmouth Public Library refused to admit African-American citizens, Holley and others took the battle to court. The judge ruled in the plaintiffs' favor, and the library opened its facilities to all residents.

Holley was also a plaintiff in litigation to permit African Americans unrestricted use of the Portsmouth City Golf Course. The court ruled for the plaintiffs.

In addition, Holley spearheaded the desegregation of most of Portsmouth's restaurants. This action evolved from a series of meetings with the city mayor, chamber of commerce president and other prominent businessmen in the community.

The World War II veteran earned a bachelor of science from West Virginia State College and a degree from the Howard University College of Dentistry. Holley has served the community as a dental surgeon for 45 years. Currently, he and his son run a private family dentistry in Portsmouth.

In honor of his life-changing contributions, Holley has been recognized by educational institutions, civic and community organizations and professional associations. He received an honorary doctor of law degree from West Virginia State College, Howard University Tidewater Alumni Service Award, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Citizen of the Year Award and Portsmouth National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Citizenship Award.

As he often does to members of the Portsmouth family, Holley wisely reminds us that "the older people of our family must nurture and train young people to take their rightful places in society one day. Young people need to prepare themselves for their awesome and inevitable roles."